A host of major shipowners will reduce voyage speeds in western Canada in an effort to help the region’s endangered orca population.

The voluntary programme, led by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, will last between 7 August and 6 October. Among the shipowners participating are AP Moller-Maersk, COSCO, CMA CGM, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd, Pacific Basin and Oldendorff.

They have agreed to reduce vessel speed to 11 knots, while going through the Haro Strait to the port of Vancouver.